Grow beyond your degree with a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)
The world of business is vast, diverse, and constantly evolving. Whether you're keen to delve into financial markets, explore innovative management techniques, or understand the dynamics of e-commerce, our Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) offers you the perfect platform.
The three-year BCom programme isn't just a degree – it's an experience. Choose from 12 majors and 13 minors to prepare yourself for the real-world challenges of tomorrow.
Ready to take the next step?
Why study a Bachelor of Commerce at UC?
Flexible degree: The Bachelor of Commerce at UC is structured in a way that allows you to choose additional courses from outside of your major. The design of the BCom also allows you to complete a double degree, or a conjoint degree with the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Product Design, or Bachelor of Engineering with Honours.
Among the best: Te Kura Umanga | UC Business School is among the 1% of business schools worldwide that hold ‘triple-crown’ accreditation: AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA.
Student support: The UC Business School takes pride in its support services for students. The overall support service satisfaction rate among UC Business School students is 94% according to the 2023 International Student Barometer, 6% above the global university benchmark. See the support available for new students.
Life in Christchurch and New Zealand: Christchurch is ranked the most affordable English-speaking city on the QS Best Student Cities 2024 list and has living costs at least 11% lower than New Zealand’s two other largest cities.
Explore the World with Overseas Study Options: Broaden your horizons and gain a global perspective through our overseas study options. Immerse yourself in diverse cultures, enhance your international understanding, and expand your knowledge while earning your degree. Learn more about our global opportunities.
Make Valuable Connections: Our connections with the corporate, public, and not-for-profit sectors gives you unparalleled networking opportunities. We provide opportunities to connect with industry leaders, world-renowned visiting academics as part of the Erskine programme, experienced alumni, and like-minded peers.
Hundreds of Student Clubs: Discover passions beyond your studies. Whether it's entrepreneurship, debate, dance, or more – there’s a club waiting for you. Choose your club now.
Gain Practical, Real-World Experience: Learning is more than just the theory. Dive into hands-on learning opportunities like professional placements, business competitions and project-based courses that bridge the gap between theory and practice. Regardless of which major you choose, your Bachelor of Commerce degree will include courses on employment preparation and working in multicultural environments, which makes your knowledge and skills relevant for local and global workplaces.
Supporting future entrepreneurs: Your entrepreneurial journey begins here. Through the UC Centre for Entrepreneurship (UCE) and student-led initiatives like Entré, cultivate your innovative thinking. Bring your classroom learning to life, gain tangible work skills, and prepare to make your mark on the business world.
Part-time options
For those exploring part-time studies or considering studying Commerce alongside a non-Commerce degree, the Certificate in Commerce is your ideal route. And the best part? The courses can be credited towards a BCom in the future.
Are you ready to grow beyond?
Choosing BCom courses
Bachelor of Commerce majors
There are 12 majors to choose from in the BCom. See our degree plans to learn how to structure your courses to meet the requirements for each major. You can find more information on each major via the links below:
| Subject | Degree plans |
|---|---|
Strategy and Entrepreneurship |
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Bachelor of Commerce minors
BCom students have the option of completing a minor in a subject from the BCom degree schedule or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree schedule. This allows you to complement your major subject with study in a different discipline (called a minor). A BCom minor can increase breadth of knowledge at an undergraduate level, along with employability.
Check our table to make sure you're taking the right courses at the right stage.
- Any course at 300-level may contribute to only one major or minor.
- Any course at 200-level credited to a minor cannot also be credited to a major or another minor.
- Where the same course is required for more than one major or minor, a substitute course (approved by the Dean of Commerce) will be required.
| Subject | Required courses for minor |
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Note: Please check the prerequisites of the compulsory papers |
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Note: Please check the prerequisites of the compulsory papers |
First year core courses
To graduate with a BCom you must complete the requirements of one of the 14 majors as well as core courses. All BCom students must complete five core courses (75 points) from the following: ACCT 102, either ECON 104, ECON 105 or ECON 199 (this is also a STAR course for senior high school students), INFO 123, MGMT 100 and STAT 101.
It is desirable to complete the core courses in your first year of study as they provide a good general business background and are prerequisites (required courses) for 200 and 300-level Commerce courses. However, it is possible to complete some of these courses in your second and third years depending on the requirements of your BCom major. All BCom core courses can be studied without a previous high school background in the subject.
- Talk to a Student Advisor
- See BCom degree regulations
Choosing additional courses
Most students studying full-time take 120 points of courses in their first year. This equates to four courses (60 points) in each semester. If you are looking for an all-round intermediate year that keeps your study options open, consider adding any of the following courses according to your interests:
| If you are interested in: | Consider adding on: |
|---|---|
| Accounting and Taxation | ACCT 103 or ACCT 152 |
| Business and Law | LAWS 101 or LAWS 110 |
| Business Economics | ECON 104 and ECON 105. Recommended: FINC 101 |
| Economics | ECON 104 and ECON 105. MATH 101 or MATH 102 if you are interested in Honours or Master's level in Economics. You should also consider elective courses in Psychology, Sociology and Political Science. |
| Finance | FINC 101 |
| Human Resources | Elective courses in Psychology, Sociology, Political Science and Education. |
| Information Systems | INFO 125 and COSC 121 or COSC 122. |
| International Business | Language courses |
| Marketing | MKTG 100 and elective courses in Psychology or Media and Communications. |
| Management Strategy and Entrepreneurship | MKTG 100 and MGMT 170 and elective courses in Psychology, Sociology and Political Science. |
| Operations and Supply Chain Management | MGMT 170 |
Double major
Students can study for a second major (called a double major) as part of a BCom. Common majors that combine well include: Accounting and Finance, Economics and Finance, Management and Human Resources, Management and Marketing. Other combinations are also possible. With careful planning, a BCom double major can be completed within three years and with some combinations does not require any additional courses. The strength of a double major is that you specialise in more than one discipline, and have more to offer as a BCom graduate.
Double degree
Many students study for a second degree in addition to a BCom (called a double degree). In particular, a BCom and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is a highly marketable combination. The BCom also combines well with degrees in Arts, Science, Forestry Science and Engineering. It is normally possible to complete the two degrees in five years (some degree combinations may take longer).
Conjoint degree
Students may also wish to consider a conjoint degree in Product Design or Science. The Conjoint Bachelor of Product Design and Commerce and the Conjoint Bachelor of Commerce and Science, requires 60 points less than a double degree and will be completed in four years in an intensive format.
- For advice on double majors, conjoint degrees and double degrees, contact a Student Advisor.
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